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Abstract
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Article Information:
Mineralogical and Geochemical Controls of Arsenic in an Active Tailings Dam
Samuel A. Ndur and William K. Buah
Corresponding Author: Samuel A. Ndur
Submitted: July 4,2013
Accepted: September 05, 2013
Published: May 20, 2015 |
Abstract:
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The aim of this study was to assess arsenic (As) mobilization in an active tailings dam through mineralogical and geochemical characterization study. Arsenite is the predominant As species in the dam with more than 50% of the arsenic bound to the organic fraction. Pyrite and arsenopyrite are the principal opaque minerals remaining in the tailings with relic grains showing rims of oxidation (hematite/goethite). Illite, kaolinite and carbonates act as pH buffers and consume the acid generated during pyrite oxidation and raise the pH to near neutral measured in the tailings dam. At near neutral conditions As is mobilized, which likely combines with the Fe and Ca oxides formed to form ferric-calcium arsenates and deposited in the tailings dam. Some As appear to equilibrate with atmospheric CO2 and are converted into calcium carbonates with release of arsenic into solution.
Key words: Arsenic, arsenopyrite, pyrite, tailings, , ,
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Cite this Reference:
Samuel A. Ndur and William K. Buah, . Mineralogical and Geochemical Controls of Arsenic in an Active Tailings Dam. Research Journal of Environmental and Earth Sciences, (2): 15-23.
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ISSN (Online): 2041-0492
ISSN (Print): 2041-0484 |
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